The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks is a nationwide fraternal organization established in 1868. It has more than 1 million members and more than 2,000 locations throughout the United States. The Elks is also a charitable foundation that gives away millions of dollars each year toward scholarships, youth programs, drug awareness programs and veterans' programs.
The Encinitas Elks Lodge offers plenty of activities for its members, including weekly dinners, daily happy hours, special-event parties, pool tournaments and Bingo. The lodge can be rented to nonmembers for business meetings or family events.
The Alameda Elks Lodge 1015 is a local organization that is the part of the national Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. As a fraternal order, members must be sponsored by two other Elks. This facility has a catering kitchen, banquet and meeting areas, a gym, a card room and a full bar.
American Legion Post 206 is Highland Park's local American Legion branch. American Legion Post 206 features a 200-person capacity dance hall for private rental or for live music gatherings. American Legion Post 206 also houses a club room for its members that includes a full bar open five days a week. Its members gather annually for patriotic events and the branch also offers veterans rehabilitation services and honor guard funerals, among other benefits.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international nonprofit organization that uses the bald eagle as its symbol for the values it upholds, such as liberty, truth, justice, and equality. It boasts several notable former members, such as eight former U.S. presidents, a few living performers, and a heavyweight boxing champion. It has a women's auxiliary, which itself has its own notable alumni. This location also is available for private events even flea markets. The entrance is a staircase facing the parking lot.
This is Lodge 1108 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The facilities include a banquet room, full bar, swimming pool, function room and card room. There is also a picnic area in the back of the lodge, billiards and pool tables that can be used for authorized tournaments, and a Magnolia terrace that is a suitable venue for outdoor events. The lodge donates regularly to the Elks National Foundation, which offers scholarships to students across the nation.
Elks Lodges offer community buildings for family recreational activities. Membership is required and only available by invitation from a current member. The Elks is an American fraternity and works to provide educational and patriotic programs for the community and its members.
This location is the Carmichael Lodge. The director is Thomas Busch. The lodge features 12 RV sites, a dining room that is open for lunch daily at 11:30am, a lounge area open for drinks and popcorn, banquet rooms that can be rented to the public, a bingo room and a swimming pool that is open from June 1 to Labor Day.
The American Legion is a national veterans service organization. This location is Post number 43 and has been operating in Hollywood since 1919. The building itself resembles an Army barracks but with art deco architecture. An honor roll of American war heroes decorate the outer facade. The courtyard contains a war memorial complete with an antique cannon. The building itself is available for private events including live shows, film shoots and receptions. The hall has a rich heritage and was a favorite place for local artists and politicians. Humphrey Bogart was a regular at the roaring-'20s-style basement bar. The American Legion Hollywood Post is also the location for many films and television commercials. Come for the museum, stay for the drinks.
The Shrine Event Center is a large, multipurpose facility available for rental and suitable for weddings, banquets, corporate conferences, trade shows and other special events. The complex includes a lounge with bar, and the high-ceilinged Grand Ballroom with a stage, sound system, and adjacent kitchen and side rooms. The facilities are designed to be easily adaptable and able to accommodate a wide range of event types, sizes and needs. Knowledgeable staff members are available to assist in all phases of planning and hosting an event, and can help with caterers, special rentals, security, decorating and other requirements. The site is conveniently located close to the freeway and local hotels, and the on-site lot and uncrowded streets provide easy and plentiful parking. Rates are very reasonable for a facility of this size and versatility, and proceeds go to the philanthropic Shriners organization.
Santa Cruz Elks Lodge offers a place for Elks members to gather. It works closely with the community through special programs, sponsorships, fundraisers and special events. The location hosts weekly bingo games and dinners, as well as birthday nights and community events. A calendar of local events is available at the website listed.
Mission Viejo Elks Lodge 2444 works closely with the community through all types of special programs, community services and special events. The facility hosts family nights, comedy nights, as well as weeknight dinners. There are bingo games as well as taco nights and target shooter activities. Check the main website for a full schedule of events or for details on joining.
The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international nonprofit organization with an "aerie" in Santee. It promotes community living and bonding, as well as civic and individual prosperity. The Fraternal Order of Eagles has more than 1,400 aeries in the United States and Canada and more than 800,000 members. Its women's auxiliaries total to over 1,300 aeries with 250,000 members. Its past accomplishments have included the creation of Mother's Day, contributing to the Social Security Program and battling ageism with its "Jobs After 40" Program.
The American Legion Dewitt C. Mitchell Post 201 is a branch of the largest veterans organization in the nation. The Legion aims to carry out its mission, as per its website, of "mentoring and sponsoring youth programs in the community, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow service members and veterans," in Lemon Grove.
Some of the many services it provides includes the creation of the Child Welfare Fund, the foundation and operation of the American Legion baseball league, the operation of the Heroes to Hometowns program, offering students scholarships, a family support network, POW/MIA advocacy and flag advocacy.
Congress chartered the American Legion in 1919, making it the largest veterans organization. Even after coming back from serving the country, these veterans still serve their communities by mentoring youth, advocating patriotism and promoting a strong national security. Current members partner with fellow servicemembers and veterans.
The Legion also offers many programs, like the American Legion Baseball, Heroes to Hometowns, and has great political influence in the legislative process.
This building hosts many Finnish cultural and historical events. The owners rent the space at reasonable rates to local event planners. Its well-lit, roomy studios are large enough to accommodate groups, and are also appropriate for dancing or martial arts rehearsals. The building is located just north of University Avenue in Central Berkeley.
Gilroy Lodge on the Hill is a catering and event venue with beautiful views of the Santa Clara Valley and the Gilroy Golf Course. Its main hall has an outdoor lawn area and can be used for wedding ceremonies, special parties and social events. Visit its website to view a gallery of photos as well as its options for luncheon buffets, sit-down dinners and hors d'oeuvres.